Pieces of $7 million Hawthorn mansion to be auctioned off before reno

Countess Rosie Rous inside her Hawthorn mansion, on the grand staircase that will be auctioned next weekend. Picture: Jason Edwards

Pieces of a $7.75 million mansion will be sold off at an unusual Melbourne auction.

Keith and Rosie Rous, the Earl and Countess of Stradbroke, are set to send two staircases, stained-glass windows, and light fittings including a glorious chandelier from their 1898 Hawthorn residence Haven under the hammer next weekend.

They plan to gut the mansion they bought in 2016 and comprehensively renovate it — and they don’t want its grand fittings to go to waste.

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14-16 Isabella Grove, Hawthorn last sold for $7.75 million in 2016.

The home’s leadlight and stained-glass windows are also on the auction block. Picture: Jason Edwards

EJ Ainger auctioneer John Ainger said it was only the second time in his career he’d taken on an auction like this, and the previous one was 20-odd years ago.

“People were demolishing a home in Toorak and we sold the staircase, windows, doors — even the camellias in the garden,” he recalled.

“This is giving people contemplating renovating period homes an opportunity to buy items that otherwise would go to the tip.”

Mr Ainger said several of the pieces would be auctioned without reserve prices, the most notable being a central timber staircase he estimated could fetch $1000-$5000.

“If it doesn’t sell, it’ll be demolished. That would be a real shame.”

The gilded chandelier that’s for sale. Picture: Jason Edwards

The home’s ornate wall fittings are also up for grabs. Picture: Jason Edwards

This Victorian spiral staircase is also for sale. Picture: Jason Edwards

Also up for grabs are a Victorian cast iron spiral staircase, expected to fetch $1500-$2000, a Federation-era chandelier, $1500-$3000, ornate wall lights, $500-$800, and stained-glass and leadlight windows, $500-$1000 for the lot.

Mr Ainger said these items would be sold with the proviso a specific prestige builder carried out their removal, at the buyers’ expense.

Also on the auction block are prized artworks external to their collection, including a rare tapestry Mr Ainger estimated could fall anywhere from $7000 up to $30,000 and paintings by Arthur and David Boyd, Brett Whitely and John Olsen.

This rare tapestry is expected to be a hot item at the auction. Picture: Jason Edwards

This artwork is expected to fetch $2000-$4000. Picture: Jason Edwards

This carved mirror is also for sale. Picture: Jason Edwards

Countess Rous tipped the main staircase and chandelier to be standout items at the auction, which will take place from 11am on April 14 at the 14-16 Isabella Grove property.

She and her husband of 42 years plan to turn the six-bedroom mansion into an even bigger and more modern open home to cater for their family of 15 children and 29 grandchildren.

They’ve spent two years designing the new look with architect Robert Simeoni, with the renovation set to take up to two more years and add a lift, cloister and underground parking.

“It’s time we upsized,” she said.

The couple notably sold one of Victoria’s largest farms, the 5900ha Mt Fyans, for $34 million in 2016.

The Earl and Countess have big plans to renovate the mansion. Picture: Jason Edwards